Turkey earthquake flattens buildings in north-east Balikesir province

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck the north-east Balikesir province of Turkey on Wednesday, resulting in significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. The quake claimed the life of one individual and caused the collapse of 16 structures in the affected region. The tremors were felt across a wide area, with reports of shaking from nearby provinces as well. Rescue operations were immediately launched to search for any individuals trapped under the rubble of the collapsed buildings. Local authorities have mobilized emergency response teams to assess the extent of the damage and provide aid to the affected communities. While the full impact of the earthquake is still being evaluated, the incident serves as a reminder of the seismic risk faced by Turkey, which is located in a highly active earthquake zone. The government has emphasized the importance of strengthening building codes and disaster preparedness measures to mitigate the potential loss of life and property in future seismic events.